Benedict's final papal audience

Updated 4:20 PM ET, Wed February 27, 2013

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Photos: Benedict's final papal audience

Benedict XVI's final papal audience – The faithful fill St. Peter's Square as Pope Benedict XVI attends his last public audience on Wednesday, February 27, in Vatican City. Benedict's decision to resign earlier this month caught a lot of Vatican watchers, apparently even some in his inner circle, off-guard.

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Photos: Benedict's final papal audience

Benedict's final papal audience – The pope delivers his blessing. Benedict recounted how when he was asked to be pope eight years ago, he had prayed for God's guidance and had felt his presence "every day" since.

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Photos: Benedict's final papal audience

Benedict XVI's final papal audience – Benedict takes his seat on the dias in St. Peter's Square. In an unusually personal message, he said there had been "many days of sunshine" but also "times when the water was rough ... and the Lord seemed to sleep."

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Photos: Benedict's final papal audience

Benedict XVI's final papal audience – Cardinals listen to the pope.

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Photos: Benedict's final papal audience

Benedict XVI's final papal audience – The pope waves to the crowd.

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Photos: Benedict's final papal audience

Benedict XVI's final papal audience – A pilgrim prays as he attends Benedict's final general audience address.

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Photos: Benedict's final papal audience

Benedict XVI's final papal audience – Nuns attend the address.

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Photos: Benedict's final papal audience

Benedict XVI's final papal audience – Archbishops and cardinals sit in St. Peter's Square. The pope used his last general audience to call for a renewal of faith and speak of his own spiritual journey through eight years as leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics.

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Photos: Benedict's final papal audience

Benedict XVI's final papal audience – Benedict waves from to the crowd as he arrives at St. Peter's Square.

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Photos: Benedict's final papal audience

Benedict XVI's final papal audience – The pope kisses a child as he arrives.

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Photos: Benedict's final papal audience

Benedict XVI's final papal audience – Benedict waves to the faithful. "Loving the church also means having the courage to make tough choices," he said, as he called on the faithful to pray for him and the new pope.

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Photos: Benedict's final papal audience

Benedict XVI's final papal audience – Benedict waves to the crowd as he arrives in the popemobile.

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Photos: Benedict's final papal audience

Benedict XVI's final papal audience – Benedict leaves the altar at the end of his last weekly audience.

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Photos: Benedict's final papal audience

Benedict XVI's final papal audience – A priest runs to get into St. Peter's Square ahead of pope's last public audience address.

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Photos: Benedict's final papal audience

Benedict XVI's final papal audience – Two nuns leave Vatican City after the pope's address. Among the crowds were groups of pilgrims who had traveled to Rome for the special occasion, as well as locals and curious visitors keen to share in the moment.

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Photos: Benedict's final papal audience

Benedict XVI's final papal audience – A cardinal arrives in St. Peter's Square. Benedict will leave office at 8 p.m. local time Thursday.

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Photos: Benedict's final papal audience

Benedict XVI's final papal audience – A Swiss guard stands in front of the Vatican.